Animal Medicine #29

There has been a tradition within Celtic society, that is steeped in history, and possibly stretches back thousands of years:  a tradition of talking to the bees. 

Beekeepers would decorate the hives and share with the bees what has happened within the community.  They would tell the bees about who had married, new babies born, the joys and the sorrows.  Especially important was the tradition of telling the bees of the passing of people from this realm to the next. 

When the bee keeper died, it was a requirement that the new bee keeper introduce themselves and formally ask for acceptance from the bees.

The reason that this tradition is so strong, is that Bee is a Spiritual Messenger.  She is in communication with the Divine.  She’s like the insect  version of a telephone line leading directly to the Goddess.

The bees, the sun, and the trees were considered to be a ‘golden triad’ to the Druids, who, it is thought, danced like bees to honour the life force of the sun.

The Bee is symbolised by the Sun.  She carries the Energy of Fire. 

As an adult she grows hair on her legs in order to gather pollen and then takes flight in a way that appears to be impossible.  Her wings are just not big enough to support her body and the whole is definitely not aerodynamic as we know that, so everything about her says that she shouldn’t be able to fly – yet she does.  What this tells us, is that we should never say that something is impossible – because it is quite possible that the impossible can and will happen!  No matter how impossible your task seems, you are super-powerful and you can make it happen.  Providing you don’t give up.  Providing that you don’t allow the addictive Energies of Fear and Anger to rule you, and providing you learn to work with others in your community.

Bee is letting us know that it can be easy for humans to forget the commitment they should hold for the welfare of their community.  We all get tied up with our individual lives and forget that we can achieve so much more if we all work together.  Bee tells us that we can live in harmony if we really want to.  A single bee colony can hold over 60,000 individuals – and they all work together to ensure that the hive thrives.

We need to re-commit to achieving harmony in order for our communities to thrive.

Bees communicate through dance, letting others in the community know where to go to collect pollen, what direction, and how far to travel.  Like them we need to communicate, sharing information in whatever manner best describes the direction we should travel and the goal we are aiming for, not as individuals but as human beings.

We need to develop a strong work ethic, together.  We need to come together, determined not only to survive as a species, but to succeed.  Bee reminds us we ARE a part of a Collective Consciousness – a community.  And despite how difficult it might appear – we can fly!

That strong work ethic that bee is known for, also includes a commitment that is so strong and so protective of the hive, that bee will even sacrifice herself to protect her home.  Now – that doesn’t mean that we have to sacrifice ourselves, just that we have to develop a very strong determination that we will come together to protect our home.  Our Planet.  Gaia.  At the moment we are all scattered and separated by the illusion of borders and other barriers.  We are separate physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And that needs to end.

Another thing that Bee asks us to look at, is how productive we are being.  How well we are sharing the burdens.  Are you one who has a very heavy load or are you waiting for someone else to tell you what to do?  Find balance in your life.  Yes, your work is essential, but it is not everything.  Take time to smell the flowers every now and then. 

With Bee medicine, you are reminded that you are a part of a much larger community.  That means that you have support and you are able to give support.  You are not doing it alone.  With persistence and teamwork, with everyone knowing their role, we can do this.  Even if we are not aerodynamic – with intention, determination, and with the support of community we can fly.